Welcome to Australia! Are you a tourist wanting to claim GST (Goods and Services Tax) or WET (Wine Equalization Tax) refund for some shopping or gifts you’ve bought in Australia that you’d like to bring back home? Here’s some important information you need to know!
According to the Australian Border Force ABF you must be prepared to take all your goods on board as carry-on luggage; spend at least AUD 300 (including Goods and Services Tax (GST)) in total from a supplier with the same Australian Business Number (ABN); buy goods within 60 days of departure; get a valid paper tax invoice in English with only your name as it appears in your passport if the invoice is $1,000 or more with a description of the goods that allows us to match the goods to the invoice, the retailer’s name, address and ABN; the amount of GST or WET paid (or total price including GST) and date of purchase. Oversized and restricted goods need to be sighted by ABF before checking in.
There are also strict restrictions on what you cannot do such as get a cash refund; use photocopied, reprint or duplicate invoices or ship goods separately. As well you cannot claim when it is less than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time at a domestic airport or make claims online; before the day of departure; or after you leave Australia. Some other restrictions include tobacco and tobacco products; dangerous goods which are prohibited on an aircraft or ship for safety reasons; liquids, gas cylinders and fireworks; goods wholly or partially consumed in Australia.
Goods purchased with gift cards or vouchers are eligible for a refund if all TRS requirements are met. Unaccompanied, freighted and posted goods will not be eligible unless the goods are being exported to an External Australian Territory by a resident of that territory.
Always check with your airline carrier or cruise liner what you can or cannot take onboard. You should also make sure the description on the invoice for your goods match correctly and print out all electronic invoices before you head to the airport.
For a comprehensive understanding contact our Registered Migration Agents on 0246261002 or email info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au. We have some of the best immigration agents in Sydney so don’t miss out, call us and find out if you are eligible for a TRS refund.
